The Madras High Court on Friday ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Inspector General of Police (North Zone) Asra Garg, to probe the catastrophic stampede that occurred during a rally organized by actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27. The incident claimed 41 lives and left more than 60 people injured, marking one of the deadliest crowd-related tragedies in the region.

A single-judge bench of the Madras High Court sharply criticized TVK functionaries for their failure to manage the massive crowd, which led to chaos, unruly behavior, and the destruction of public property during Vijay’s roadshow. The court questioned the party’s inability to control its members and prevent the rampage that contributed to the disaster. A preliminary investigation has pointed to significant lapses in crowd management as a primary cause of the stampede.

The court also dismissed a plea requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident, directing the petitioner to approach the Madurai bench of the High Court for further recourse. Additionally, the Madras High Court rejected an anticipatory bail plea filed by TVK district secretary N Sathish Kumar in connection with the stampede case.

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In response to the tragedy, Vijay and TVK announced a two-week suspension of all political rallies and paused the party’s statewide election campaign. In a statement posted on X in Tamil, TVK expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and confirmed that new details about rescheduled public meetings would be shared later, with the approval of their party leader.

The court’s decision to appoint an SIT underscores the gravity of the incident and the urgent need for accountability. As the investigation unfolds, the findings are expected to shed light on the circumstances that led to this preventable tragedy, while the state mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath.

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